20 words

My 20 Words, 2006-2011

So for the few that have come over to my apartment, know that I am absolutely obsessed with those big Post-it sticky easel pads and have them (the flip chart papers) all over my walls covered with notes, brainstorming, plans, ...  And recently, going along with the my current personal theme of spring cleaning and detoxing (what I'm doing now both physically, mentally, externally, and internally) - decided it was time I let go of some of these pieces of paper on my walls. One of my mentors, Tyler, helped me through a difficult time in my life telling me about his past relationship woes and what he did to move on with his life.  My ex-fiance had cheated on me and I decided I was not going to give this tragic situation more than a 2 week grieving period.  Forced myself to put on my survival gear and hat and continue living.  Anyways, one of the exercises he had me do to gather myself back was write down 20 words that represented me, my life, and my future:  who am I/or want to be?, what do I want for my life and my future?  --> and then list them in order of priority.  It completely helped.  I have looked at it EVERY DAY for the past five years....  And five years later, it's interesting to see what's happened in my life since - so I thought it was blog-worthy sharing material for you. 

1. Family
   
2. My Own Family
   
3. "Change the World"
   
4. Security (People, Wealthy, Home, Career)
5. Feeling Safe (Physical, Emotional, ...)
6. "Nothing to Lose"
7. Explore/Curiosity
8. Take On Challenges - Don't Take the Easy Way Out
9. Integrity - Do the Right Thing
10. Do Something About it
11. Don't Be Lazy, Don't Rush
12. Love (Compassion, Kindness, All Meanings, w/o Condition)
13. Take Care of Others
14. Not Afraid to Make a Food of Myself/Don't Take Self Too Seriously
15. Try it at Least Twice - then Decide
16. Be Self Aware/Critical, Open to Feedback, Real, Willing, Flexible, Fair
17. Pain Builds Muscle (Body, Emotion, Brain)
18. Don't Take Anything for Granted - Say Thanks and Mean It
19. Nothing is Free
20. Spirituality (Higher Power/Humility)

--- The Journey... Not The Destination ---
Five years later, I feel like a new list of 20 words is needed for me now...  well at least some re-prioritization and modification.  I've tried and continue to keep my mother/brother as much as I can, a priority.  I'd like to move #20 up further on my list - I need help finding peace with a lot of demons (and I feel that those battles will be coming up sooner, rather than later in my life now).  I'd like to move #11 up on the list, and maybe rename it to just "Slow Down, Let It Go".  ...  So my old list, 2006-2011, has served me well.  I'm working on my new 20 Words for 2011-2016 now.  Try it - I found it helpful for me to look at (sometimes modify/add to) this list every day. 

~Arry